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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: rugerbh103 on January 30, 2008, 02:50:00 PM

Title: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: rugerbh103 on January 30, 2008, 02:50:00 PM
Has anyone made there own back stop? I have about 30 yards in the back yard to work with. I was thinking about using  the thick foam insulation you can buy at the hardware stores. Has anyone used it or have any better ideas for me? Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Weekend Warrior on January 30, 2008, 03:09:00 PM
Old carpet works great
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: BobW on January 30, 2008, 03:36:00 PM
This works for me..... (http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m193/robertwestfall/PICT0244.jpg)


I suggest wire bales instead of twine.


BobW
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: robslifts on January 30, 2008, 04:13:00 PM
hang a couple of layers of carpet behind your target!!
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: pseman on January 30, 2008, 04:30:00 PM
I've been thinking about the carpet idea, but what about when it gets wet. Does it mold/mildew? Does it weigh a hundred pounds when wet?

How about the astro-turf type carpet? Did you guys get yours free(scraps from carpet layers)?
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: bbassi on January 30, 2008, 04:32:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by BobW:
This works for me.....  (http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m193/robertwestfall/PICT0244.jpg)


I suggest wire bales instead of twine.


BobW
yeah, but where are the other 10 arrows, hummmm?
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Bill Carlsen on January 30, 2008, 05:04:00 PM
The rubber mats they use in horse stalls works great. Check out a feed and grain store or even Craig's List.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: BleekLight on January 30, 2008, 06:16:00 PM
you can use a couple pieces of scrap plywood granted these aren't always easy on your arrows, but it might encourage you not to miss lol  :)  Personally I just put my target in front of my shed works good for me.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: The Whittler on January 30, 2008, 06:45:00 PM
If your near a Paper Mill, you can get some felt (wet or dry).

Alan
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: rugerbh103 on January 30, 2008, 07:29:00 PM
Thanks for the ideas. BobW how many bales of hay is that. Im cheap so I'm trying to figure out prices and hay looks expensive.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Tim Schoenborn on January 30, 2008, 07:36:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by rugerbh103:
Thanks for the ideas. BobW how many bales of hay is that. Im cheap so I'm trying to figure out prices and hay looks expensive.
That is straw not hay...........

Bales of straw here in Michigan are a $1.50 a piece. Hay will run you $3 a bale..............

Can't get much cheaper than that?
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: rugerbh103 on January 30, 2008, 07:38:00 PM
Maybe  this is a stupid question, but please tell me what the difference is. I see hay for $7.00 a bale.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Tim Schoenborn on January 30, 2008, 07:42:00 PM
Hay is for Horses..........

Just get Straw........

$7 bucks a bale for Hay is high also. Although Hay is always more than Straw.

You don't need Hay for this. Straw will work fine. Maybe in Va the Hay crop was rough or they are getting it from other areas as I have never paid $7 bucks for a bale of hay. Michigan hay is highly coveted also.

Tim

 www.timschoenborn.com (http://www.timschoenborn.com)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Dick in Seattle on January 30, 2008, 07:46:00 PM
I put up wall of plywood, doubled sheets 3/4" and 5/8".  It's 6' square.   Then I put hangers on it for 4' burlap bags.

 (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/target2-b.jpg)

for closer targets I used 4' square plywood.  You can see my whole range at:

 http://www.howardhilllongbowmen.com/backyardrange/backyardrange.html

Dick in Seattle
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Dick in Seattle on January 30, 2008, 07:47:00 PM
actually, that's 6' x 8'\\

Dick
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: longstick on January 30, 2008, 07:54:00 PM
I used a piece of thick carpet for mine,had an old rectangulaer homemade gazebo and layed a piece of 2x6 across and nailed carpet,makes it easily replaceable
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: GingivitisKahn on January 30, 2008, 09:22:00 PM
I've tried the hanging carpet thing too and haven't had the same success you guys have.   I'm using some really thick stuff and my 55# DH is putting my aluminums right through it.  I want to try with rubber blunts rather than the Ace hex heads (maybe that's my problem) but so far the carpet just isn't cutting it (though my heads are - heh) for me.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: kawika b on January 30, 2008, 09:50:00 PM
See the hollow tile wall in the background,,, it does wonders for concentration.
   (http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/808grapplemonkey/a096c5ad.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Cherokee Scout on January 30, 2008, 10:40:00 PM
I buy CeloTex at Home Depo or Lowes. As I recall it cost about $7-8 per sheet. My 4'x3' cost less than $100. It comes in 4'x 8' sheets that are 3/4" thick. I cut in 16" strips, 4' wide. I stack them up to whatever height I want. I shot the last one for 16 years! I keep a roof over it to avoid rotting, it is some type of pressed cardboard or wood by product. Not sure what is is, but it works great.
 (http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/range4.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: daniel reynolds on January 30, 2008, 11:23:00 PM
hey John I have shot that one a time or two! And it is the best that I have seen.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Budog56 on January 30, 2008, 11:47:00 PM
We did the same thing as the one above only with a bunch of cardboard we saved when we moved......also have used sheets of that foam insulation stuff bout an inch or so thick usually pink opr white i can get you a nem tommorrow at work it works really good
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: jerrod on January 31, 2008, 12:12:00 AM
I love the course Dick.  That is improvising in a tight area.  I'll bet its a lot of fun to shoot too. My wheels are turning for my backyard!
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Cherokee Scout on January 31, 2008, 07:44:00 AM
Daniel= are you talking about the CeloTex or the roof?
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Big'n on January 31, 2008, 08:54:00 AM
For you city boys: Hay is feed
                                 Straw is bedding
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Eric Krewson on January 31, 2008, 09:54:00 AM
I seldom buy anything new and look for bargains. I bought a used Morrell bag target that was used in the IBO world championships for $60, pretty shot up on the other side but one side untouched. At the last ASTB shoot in Bama they were selling the practice range bag targets for $5 so I picked up one to make my backstop bigger and stop low arrows. Some posts, plywood and left over shingles from my house and I have a about $100 in a backstop that will outlast me. I may have to replace the cover on the Morrell but I will never shoot out the core.

  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/targetbackstop.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: BobW on January 31, 2008, 10:34:00 AM
three in the back, one in front as a ledge for my target block.

Around here they go for $3.00 each.

Will last a few (1-3) years, so I don't think is really is that much (indoor range here is $5.00/hour, club is $45/year).

Cover it with a tarp when not shooting, and it is going to last.  Hay bales will grow lots of weeds in your yard, straw is what you want.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Gatekeeper on January 31, 2008, 01:37:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SRTA:
I buy CeloTex at Home Depo or Lowes. As I recall it cost about $7-8 per sheet. My 4'x3' cost less than $100. It comes in 4'x 8' sheets that are 3/4" thick. I cut in 16" strips, 4' wide. I stack them up to whatever height I want. I shot the last one for 16 years! I keep a roof over it to avoid rotting, it is some type of pressed cardboard or wood by product. Not sure what is is, but it works great.
  (http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff176/srtaphotos/range4.jpg)
SRTA

Is Celotex the same as sound board? Is Celotex the same material that ceiling tiles are made from?

I have check Home Depot, Lowes and several lumber yards around Kansas City and I keep getting the same answer “no we don’t have Celotex”.  One person told me that sound board is probably what I need but it only comes in ½” thickness around here.

Is Celotex the name brand of the material that you are buying or is there another name?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: geno on January 31, 2008, 01:47:00 PM
I made a giant saw horse out of treated landscape ties. 6'x8' I lay carpet over the top to double it up.

Mojam has the same targets a gatekeeper and it was hard to pull my woodies out. Dont know if everyone had that problem. It will last forever though..
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: chris_qc on January 31, 2008, 02:35:00 PM
Yeah,

We have the same material as Gatekeeper for our target butts. We call it "Tentest" around here. It does wreak havoc on the finnish of my POC arrows though.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: LEOPARD on January 31, 2008, 03:03:00 PM
I've got a 5' target boss that works well! If you miss it tho, I've got a plastic covered silage bale behind it, that the boss is leaning up against, that stops any low arras before they go under grass or anything. I've also put a 10'x8' fence panel on the ground underneath my boss and silage bale, which stops arras from burrying under the grass. If you shoot low, the arras just bounce up into the boss. There's also the big sand bank behind the boss and bale. Another thing that works, is foam matress' taped or tied together.
 (http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/nigelivy/2007/Archery/SRange02.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Cherokee Scout on January 31, 2008, 06:35:00 PM
CeloTex is a brand name. There are other brands that work just as well, I am not sure of the other names.
It is used as the first layer of siding on frame houses. Brick, wood siding etc is put on over this stuff. It probably is sound board, but the stuff I have been using is 3/4"thick not 1/2" But the thickness makes no difference because you will just have to stack a few extra slices to get to desired height. If you look at it close it almost looks like  very soft wood, you can dig your fingernails in it.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: rugerbh103 on January 31, 2008, 08:49:00 PM
Thanks guys, looks like i have a busy weekend ahead.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Missouri CK on January 31, 2008, 10:05:00 PM
Tom,

 www.huebertfiberboard.com (http://www.huebertfiberboard.com)

This is the company that supplies the Missouri Conservation Department the material for their shooting butts at the local archery ranges.  This fiberboard stuff looks like big pieces of felt. You can stick a finger in between the layers and it has some give.  When you compress it together it works great.  I'm in the process of having my local hardware store order some of it in from the company. I need to look at it to decide how thick to make it in order to build a shooting backstop down in my father-in-laws basement.

I wish it wasn't so expensive but it should last a lifetime in the basement.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Gatekeeper on February 01, 2008, 01:21:00 PM
Thanks SRTA and Chris.

I found a place that has Celotex.

If there are any Kansas City guys that are interested in CeloTex, you can buy it at Menards in Saint Jo.
Menards carries CeloTex in 4’ x 8’x .5” sheets at $5.70 per sheet.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Gordy on February 01, 2008, 02:16:00 PM
I can tell you this much.  The 1/2" drywall in my garage makes a horrible backstop.   :knothead:
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: brettlandon on February 01, 2008, 03:21:00 PM
According to the local nail-bender, CeloTex is a wall sheathing also called, brown board, black board, barn board, or corn stalk board.  It is used as an r-value replacement to OSB for wall sheathing, and used to be used much more extensively than current practices.  Many of you with homes 15 to 45 years old probably have this material under your siding especially around the unheated walls of your attached garage.
 Not all home improvement centers will carry it, but most any good lumberyard will.    ;)  
 My best friend and I put a truckload of used phonebooks across the end of his metal shed.  We covered these with two long tarps and it is an excellent backstop which is going on it's ninth or tenth year.  

-Brett
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Gatekeeper on February 05, 2008, 10:19:00 AM
Here is the target butt that I made this past weekend. The material is Celotex and the dimensions are 5’ high x 4’ wide. This thing should last a long time.

I do get some residue on my arrows from the biding material in the Celotex. This mostly happens on the Carbon Express Heritage shafts. The Carbon Express Rebel shafts don’t seem to collect much residue. I sprayed the ends of the shafts with a dry lubricant and it seems to help a little bit.

Does anyone else have a better suggestion?


 (http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc168/Gatekeeper100/NewTarget1.jpg)

 (http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc168/Gatekeeper100/NewTarget2.jpg)
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Can Hahaka on February 05, 2008, 10:39:00 AM
Living in a condo I have to shoot in the garage and out to the middle of the street! I have put a double layer of 2" foam on the walls for protection. I think it is too expensive for an outdoor application. Also, the drywall still has holes in it!
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Naphtali on February 05, 2008, 12:10:00 PM
Regarding straw or hay as backstop, I have many whitetail in my yard. How much of a problem, if any, will this present for longevity of bale backstop? Will it be eaten by July if I create it in March?
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Gatekeeper on February 05, 2008, 01:28:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Naphtali:
Regarding straw or hay as backstop, I have many whitetail in my yard. How much of a problem, if any, will this present for longevity of bale backstop? Will it be eaten by July if I create it in March?
You shouldn’t have any problems with the deer eating them.
Title: Re: How do I make my own backstop?
Post by: Big'n on February 05, 2008, 01:34:00 PM
I might be wrong but I don't really think anybody was advising using Hay as a backstop. If they did they probably don't know what hay is. Hay is used for feed for livestock. Straw is used for bedding. It is Straw that you want to use not hay. Most city folk errantly call anything that comes in bales "Hay". With that said, the answer to your question is No .....the whitetail won't bother it unless weeds start to grow in it. Straw has no nutritional value. Hope this helps. DAVE